Your journey to World largest Surf Resport starts here
Getting to Hainan is easier than you might think.
-
Visa-free30 days entry for 61 countries -
Easy flightsDirect and one-stop routes worldwide -
Private transfersMeet and greet from both airports
Where is Hainan?
Hainan is China's southernmost island province, often called the "Hawaii of China." Riyue Bay (Sun and Moon Bay) is located in Wanning, on the island’s southeast coast — about 100 km from Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX).
Two main airports serve Hainan:
| Airport | Code | Distance to Resort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanya Phoenix | SYX | Distance: 100 km, 1.5 hours drive | Best for: Direct flights from Russia, closer to surf spots |
| Haikou Meilan | HAK | Distance: 180 km, 2 hours drive | Best for: Direct flights from Australia, more international routes |
Flights
🇦🇺 From Australia
Direct flights available
Hainan Airlines operates direct flights from Australia to Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK)— not Sanya. This is your best entry point if you're flying from Australia.
Hainan Airlines operates direct flights from Australia to Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK)— not Sanya. This is your best entry point if you're flying from Australia.
Direct routes from Australia
Sample schedule (Sydney-Haikou): Departure 02:55 → Arrival 14:25
Sample schedule (Melbourne-Haikou): Departure 02:35 → Arrival 14:05
What to expect: These are comfortable long-haul flights on Airbus A330 aircraft. Evening departures mean you arrive in Hainan in the early afternoon — perfect for a smooth transfer to Riyue Bay and an evening session on arrival day.
Booking tip: Direct flights from Australia fill up quickly during peak surf season (October-March). Book 2−3 months in advance for the best fares.
Sample schedule (Melbourne-Haikou): Departure 02:35 → Arrival 14:05
What to expect: These are comfortable long-haul flights on Airbus A330 aircraft. Evening departures mean you arrive in Hainan in the early afternoon — perfect for a smooth transfer to Riyue Bay and an evening session on arrival day.
Booking tip: Direct flights from Australia fill up quickly during peak surf season (October-March). Book 2−3 months in advance for the best fares.
🇺🇸 From the USA
No direct flights — but excellent connections
There are currently no direct flights from the USA to Hainan. However, getting here is straightforward with a single connection through a major Asian hub.
There are currently no direct flights from the USA to Hainan. However, getting here is straightforward with a single connection through a major Asian hub.
Best connection options
Average flight times from the USA:
Recommended routing: Fly into Hong Kong (HKG) first — it’s the most popular connection point for US travelers heading to Hainan. From Hong Kong, there are frequent short flights to both Haikou and Sanya (about 1.5 hours).
Alternative routing: Connect through Seoul (ICN), Shanghai (PVG), or Taipei (TPE) — all offer convenient connections to Hainan with total travel times under 24 hours.
Booking tip: Book your US-to-Asia leg and your Asia-to-Hainan leg as separate tickets. This often saves money and gives you more flexibility. Airlines like Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Korean Air (via Seoul), and China Eastern (via Shanghai) offer competitive fares.
- Los Angeles → Haikou: ~22h 52m
- San Francisco → Haikou: ~22h 5m
- Los Angeles → Sanya: ~23h 5m
Recommended routing: Fly into Hong Kong (HKG) first — it’s the most popular connection point for US travelers heading to Hainan. From Hong Kong, there are frequent short flights to both Haikou and Sanya (about 1.5 hours).
Alternative routing: Connect through Seoul (ICN), Shanghai (PVG), or Taipei (TPE) — all offer convenient connections to Hainan with total travel times under 24 hours.
Booking tip: Book your US-to-Asia leg and your Asia-to-Hainan leg as separate tickets. This often saves money and gives you more flexibility. Airlines like Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong), Korean Air (via Seoul), and China Eastern (via Shanghai) offer competitive fares.
🇷🇺 From Russia
Direct flights from 11 cities
Russia has excellent direct connections to Hainan — one of the best networks of any country. Aeroflot and Hainan Airlines operate direct flights to Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX)from multiple Russian cities.
Russia has excellent direct connections to Hainan — one of the best networks of any country. Aeroflot and Hainan Airlines operate direct flights to Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX)from multiple Russian cities.
Direct routes from Russia
🌍 From Other Countries
Visa-free entry for 61 countries
Hainan offers 30-day visa-free entry for citizens of 61 countries, including:
Europe: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and more
Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei
Others: Russia, Kazakhstan, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus
What this means: You can enter Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, business, family visits, or sports competitions (excluding work and study).
Entry ports for visa-free travel:
Europe: UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, and more
Americas: USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile
Asia-Pacific: Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei
Others: Russia, Kazakhstan, UAE, Qatar, Monaco, Belarus
What this means: You can enter Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa for tourism, business, family visits, or sports competitions (excluding work and study).
Entry ports for visa-free travel:
- Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK)
- Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX)
- Qionghai Boao International Airport (BAR)
Practical tip: Even with visa-free entry, bring your return ticket and proof of accommodation. Immigration may ask for these.
Airport transfer
Let us arrange your airport transfer. We will meet you at arrivals and get you to the resort comfortably so you can focus on the waves not the logistics.
Sanya airport rates
Basic sedan
550
¥ one way
Premium minivan
950
¥ one way
Luxury Mercedes minibus
1500
¥ one way
Luxury Toyota Alphard
1700
¥ one way
- Haikou airport: add 50 CNY to all prices
- Night arrivals between 10PM and 7AM: add 100 CNY
- All rates are one way only
- Important note: Minivans cannot carry surfboards on the roof. Boards must be placed inside the vehicle, or a second car can be arranged for luggage and board bags.
Bringing your own board? Here's what you need to know for the main routes to Hainan.
Flying with Your Surfboard
From Australia (Hainan Airlines)
Hainan Airlines operates direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK). Surfboards are classified as special baggage and do not count toward your free baggage allowance.
Note: Direct flights from Australia arrive at Haikou, not Sanya. From Haikou, it’s about 2-hour by car to Riyue Bay.
- Fee: 1200 CNY per board bag if the total dimensions (length + width + height) are within 203 cm. If the longest side exceeds 203 cm, the fee is 2000 CNY and requires prior approval.
- Weight limit: Maximum 32 kg per piece.
- Important: Contact Hainan Airlines at least 72 hours before departure to reserve space for your board. Capacity for oversized sports equipment is limited.
Note: Direct flights from Australia arrive at Haikou, not Sanya. From Haikou, it’s about 2-hour by car to Riyue Bay.
From the USA (via Hong Kong, Seoul, or Shanghai)
There are no direct flights from the USA to Hainan, but the connection through a major Asian hub is straightforward. Here’s how the main carriers handle surfboards:
Korean Air (via Seoul):
Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong):
China Eastern (via Shanghai):
Booking tip: For US travelers, booking the US-to-Asia leg and the Asia-to-Hainan leg as separate tickets often saves money and gives you more flexibility.
Korean Air (via Seoul):
- Fee: $ 100 per board bag, one-way.
- Size limit: 200 cm maximum length.
- Weight limit: 23 kg.
Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong):
- Surfboards can be included in your free checked baggage allowance if they meet the size and weight limits.
- Maximum accepted length: 203 cm.
- Standard weight limits apply (typically 23 kg for Economy). If your board bag exceeds these limits, excess baggage charges apply.
China Eastern (via Shanghai):
- Surfboards do not count toward your free baggage allowance.
- Fee for boards up to 203 cm: 1000 CNY on US routes.
- For boards over 203 cm: Requires approval from China Eastern, with higher fees (3500−4000 CNY).
- Weight limit: 45 kg for flights including US waypoints.
Booking tip: For US travelers, booking the US-to-Asia leg and the Asia-to-Hainan leg as separate tickets often saves money and gives you more flexibility.
From Russia (Aeroflot and Hainan Airlines)
Russia has excellent direct connections to Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) — only about 100 km from Riyue Bay.
Aeroflot:
Hainan Airlines (from Russia to Asia):
Aeroflot:
- Aeroflot allows one surf equipment set per passenger as part of your checked baggage allowance, provided it fits within your standard baggage weight limit (usually 23 kg for Economy) and the total dimensions of the board bag do not exceed 203 cm.
- A complete set can include up to 2 boards, a set of fins (up to 3), a leash, one wetsuit, and two pairs of water shoes.
- If your board bag exceeds these limits — either by weight or size — it will be charged as excess or oversized baggage according to Aeroflot’s standard rates.
- Important: Always contact Aeroflot in advance to confirm the carriage of your surfboard and to pre-book the extra baggage slot, as space for oversized items is limited.
Hainan Airlines (from Russia to Asia):
- Surfboards do not count toward your free baggage allowance.
- Fee: 1200 CNY per board bag if the total dimensions are within 203 cm. If the longest side exceeds 203 cm, the fee is 2000 CNY and requires prior approval.
- Weight limit: Maximum 32 kg per piece.
- Special Russia-Asia rates: For routes between Russia (east of the Urals, including Khabarovsk) and Asia, excess baggage fees may differ. For example, a bag between 23−28 kg is charged 390 CNY / 5500 RUB, and a bag between 28−32 kg is charged 980 CNY / 14 000 RUB. Contact Hainan Airlines directly to confirm the exact fee for your specific route.
- Important: Contact Hainan Airlines at least 72 hours before departure to reserve space for your board.
From Other Countries
Check your airline’s sports equipment policy before booking. Most carriers allow surfboards as part of your checked baggage allowance if they meet size (usually up to 203 cm) and weight (usually up to 23 kg) limits. Fees vary from $ 50 to $ 150 per board bag depending on the airline and route.
Packing Tips
- Use a hard case to protect your board from impact.
- Remove fins and pack them separately.
- Wrap your board in bubble wrap or towels.
- Fill empty space in the case with clothing or foam.
- Weigh your bag before the airport — most airlines cap board bags at 23 kg or 32 kg.